Shutdown

SHUTDOWN

IS THIS THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION?

NOW A SET BOOK IN THREE SCHOOLS!

It is the middle of the 21st century and in New Britain the behaviour and feelings of children are controlled by drugs and by education without soul. Everyone is chilled and everywhere is plugged in. Everywhere, that is, except a remote island community called Rainbow Dreams. There the RD brothers and

sisters choose freedom, the sea and the earth and to breathe air that is not disinfected. But what happens when the two worlds collide?

"If parents or teachers want a book that makes young readers think, they need look no further than SHUTDOWN." John, York.

Q Why the cover?

A It's a Magritte painting called The Fall (not It's Raining Men!) and I wanted to use it because everyone in it is identical. In the book that's what linegraded schools are doing to pupils - shutting down their individuality, creativity and imagination. So by the end of their education they're all the same! But not Lia, of course, and certainly not Rory!

Q You've been writing a sequel to this book. Why?

A I was asked by quite a number of readers who wanted to know more about the love triangle side of the story. I thought if I took it on a few years I could develop that. They're three great characters and I hadn't really wanted to let them go, so I really enjoyed myself. SO WATCH THIS SPACE.

BACK